MILLBROOK — There was a time when trees were thought of mostly for building shelter or providing fuel, for warmth, light or cooking.
Today, trees are the subject of research and study through many programs at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. On Thursday, Oct. 20, one of its scientists discussed the impact of lightning on tropical forests, what the future holds for those forests and what it could mean for the Northern Hemisphere.
Cary’s President, Josh Ginsberg, had the conversation with Evan Gora, who holds a doctorate in Forest Ecology from the University of Louisville. His specialties cover plant death and decomposition, as well as the causes of death, such as lightning. Gora, a Cary scientist, is an Earl S. Tupper Fellow and works with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama.
The studies are taking place in Latin America, Rwanda, Brazil, Uganda, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Scientists, ecologists, tropical ecologists are researching and studying the trees in these forests due to the fact that many of these trees are very old, some as much as 1500 years, and others even older.
They are also large trees, and so have the biggest impact on the land that surrounds them. One of the most important functions of trees is in providing carbon storage.
This conversation was mainly concerned with how the very large and very old trees fare during climate change, as massive lightning strikes have become in some instances more frequent, and in some cases more intense. The older a tree is, the larger it is, the more carbon storage it provides. So each tree lost adds up to a large amount of carbon storage loss, and is a big influence on the ecosystem processes.
The study of these losses in the tropical forests will allow scientists to follow patterns, and to understand the importance of the morbidity of trees in the ecosystem, and enabling some predictions about the future of the forests.
The studies examine why trees die, how and when they decompose, what the conditions are that determine this.
The reason studying lightning strikes is so beneficial to the studies is because the lightning hit on one tree can mean the death of many trees. The largest and tallest tree, the canopy tree, can take down surrounding trees along with catching fire itself. Lightning flows outward. It may kill five trees and damage as many as 18 trees — a significant amount of carbon storage gone.
Gora said that lightning strikes are hard to predict and just as hard to locate. But with climate change, some areas have seen accelerated events. Central Africa has seen a rise of about 50%. It has been estimated that in New York, by 2050, carbon storage will decrease by 25% to 50%.
One method of finding the strikes is through the use of drones. Information gathered can be used to plan the planting of future forests. By knowing the causes of death, the trees best suited to withstand lightning strikes and other hazards, newly planted forest can be planned to last longer and be safer from the usual causes of tree death.
Gora points out that there has been little investment made in tropical forests, and the study of tropical forests can be useful in helping to understand our local forests and their problems.
Studying tropical forests also can help in the planning of reforesting our own local forests. Lightning strikes are similar around the world, and they are massively misunderstood.
What can we do locally to help our forests to thrive, and reduce the carbon impact? Gora had some suggestions: minimize your impact by reducing your carbon footprint and offset the rest by decreasing your consumption of beef and palm oil. He also suggests supporting science by investing in the research needed to guide resilient management and reforestation. Lastly, he said, use your voice to advocate for the protection of old growth forests.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025
